West Central Reporter

Western Illinois University's women's basketball team faced a challenging match against Tennessee Tech at home, ultimately losing 72-52 at Western Hall on Tuesday night. Mia Nicastro led the Leathernecks with 18 points on 8-of-16 shooting and secured nine rebounds. Addi Brownfield contributed 12 points, including two three-pointers, while Raegan McCowan added 14 points, along with one steal and two defensive rebounds.

The Leathernecks showed strength in the paint, scoring 26 points inside, largely due to Nicastro's post play. Brownfield and McCowan also demonstrated their ability to drive to the basket. The game remained competitive in the first half, ending in a tie at 30.

In the second half, Western Illinois struggled with consistency, managing only 22 points. They were out-rebounded 39-29 and had a shooting percentage of just 27% from beyond the arc. Turnovers were a significant issue for the Leathernecks, as Tennessee Tech scored 12 points off their 12 turnovers.

This defeat puts Western Illinois at a record of 5-4 overall and 0-1 in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). The team will seek to recover on Saturday when they travel to St. Charles to face the Lindenwood Lions, with tip-off set for 1 p.m.

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